The role of small, dense low-density lipoproteins in non-coronary forms of atherosclerosis.

Small, dense low density lipoproteins (LDL) are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and seem to be an important predictor of cardiovascular events and progression of coronary artery disease. In addition, the predominance of small dense LDL has been accepted as an emerging cardiovascular risk factor by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III). Less data is available on the role of LDL size in the prevention of vascular diseases, including peripheral arterial disease, carotid artery disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm. The NCEP-ATP III stated that clinical non-coronary atherosclerosis carries a risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) equivalent to that of established CHD. The evaluation of LDL size in non-coronary atherosclerosis may potentially help identify patients at higher risk of vascular events